Legend of the Mooncusser
A group of pirates that roamed along the shores of Cape May were called Mooncussers. These clever pirates would form a line of horses along the beach with lanterns tied from their saddles.
On dark or moonless nights, ships heading to ports up and down the Delaware River would see the row of lights along the shore. Thinking it was a ship in distress, the ships heading to ports would try to come alongside to help, only to run a ground in the shallow water near the beach.
The Mooncussers would launch small boats and row out to plunder the stranded ships. These land pirates earned the name "Mooncussers" because their clever plan couldn't be carried out on bright moonlit nights, so they cussed at the moon.
Mooncussers roamed shorelines from the Carolinas to Main. Blackbeard and Captain Kidd were two pirates who are rumored to have buried treasure in the Cape May area.
Our story
Located on Bree Zee Lee Yacht Basin—one of the largest family-owned marinas on the East Coast—Mooncussers is a fun, friendly bar offering all your favorite drinks. Partnerships with local food trucks bring a wide variety of food, while live music creates the ultimate waterside experience. Packaged goods to-go and exclusive Mooncussers merchandise are also available. Since opening in August 2021, the goal has been to continue growing and creating memories for many years to come.
Gathering at the Beer Garden
Planning a large group outing? Our open-air beer garden is the perfect setting for a casual celebration. Please note that our garden area operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage large parties to arrive early or during non-peak hours to secure a spot. If you are interested in hosting a more formal or structured event, we would love to help—please reach out to us via our [Contact Us page] to discuss how we can accommodate your group